Respiratory interface

Abstract

Interfaces for positive pressure therapy having a mask assembly, a headgear assembly and a connection port assembly are disclosed herein. The connection port assembly has a ball joint connection with the mask assembly and includes a quick release button for easily disconnecting the gases source conduit from the mask assembly. The mask assembly may include a bias flow vent that is formed separately and attached to the mask assembly. The headgear assembly encircles the rear region of the user's head and may include at least some portions that are substantially non-stretchable.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A mask assembly comprising:
 a passage wall comprising a ball socket; 
 a ball end configured to be received by the ball socket, the ball end comprising:
 an outer spherical surface configured to rotatably engage the ball socket, and 
 an internal surface directly inside the outer spherical surface comprising a shoulder or groove; and 
 
 a fluid connector comprising a swivel configured to connect to a source of pressurized gases, wherein at least a portion of the fluid connector is configured to be inserted into the internal surface of the ball end, the fluid connector comprising a protrusion configured to engage the shoulder or groove of the internal surface of the ball end. 
 
     
     
       2. The mask assembly of  claim 1 , the fluid connector comprising a passage extending from a first end of the fluid connector to a second end of the fluid connector, wherein the passage of the fluid connector comprises a bend. 
     
     
       3. The mask assembly of  claim 1 , the protrusion and the shoulder or groove of the internal surface of the ball end forming a releasable connection, wherein the releasable connection comprises a quick release button. 
     
     
       4. The mask assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the quick release button is overmoulded in the fluid connector. 
     
     
       5. The mask assembly of  claim 1 , the protrusion and the shoulder or groove of the internal surface of the ball end forming a releasable connection, wherein the releasable connection comprises quick release buttons on opposite sides of the fluid connector and the releasable connection is actuated by squeezing the fluid connector. 
     
     
       6. The mask assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a seal chamber configured to cover at least a mouth or a nose of a user, the ball end rotatably mounted in the seal chamber. 
     
     
       7. The mask assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing flap configured to at least partially seal a joint formed between the fluid connector and the ball end. 
     
     
       8. The mask assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a seal chamber configured to cover at least a mouth or a nose of a user, wherein the ball end is rotatably mounted in an air vent module of the seal chamber. 
     
     
       9. The mask assembly of  claim 1 , comprising at least one rotation limiting structure associated with the ball end and the fluid connector which prevents the ball end from rotating when the fluid connector is not inserted into the ball end to an extent that an entrance in the ball end is obscured preventing insertion of the fluid connector into the ball end. 
     
     
       10. The mask assembly of  claim 9  wherein a rotation limiting structure is provided at or around an entrance or exit, or at or around both an entrance and an exit, to or from a passage through the ball end. 
     
     
       11. The mask assembly of  claim 9  wherein a rotation limiting structure comprises an annular ring provided around an entrance or exit, or annular rings provided around both an entrance and an exit, to or from a passage through the ball end. 
     
     
       12. The mask assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid connector further comprises a stop or abutment configured to limit the distance the fluid connector is inserted into the ball end. 
     
     
       13. The mask assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface comprises a truncated sphere comprising a first flattened end, a second flattened end, and a passage between the first flattened end and the second flattened end. 
     
     
       14. A mask assembly comprising:
 a passage wall comprising a ball socket; 
 a ball end comprising:
 an outer spherical surface configured to rotatably engage the ball socket, and 
 an internal surface directly inward from the outer spherical surface comprising a shoulder or groove, the internal surface defining a passage having a first end and a second end; and 
 
 a fluid connector comprising a swivel configured to connect to a source of pressurized gases, the fluid connector comprising a protrusion, wherein a portion of the fluid connector is configured to be received by the ball end, and, when assembled, the protrusion engages the shoulder or groove to retain the fluid connector to the ball end. 
 
     
     
       15. The mask assembly of  claim 14 , comprising at least one rotation limiting structure associated with the ball end which prevents the ball end from rotating to an extent preventing insertion of the fluid connector into the ball end. 
     
     
       16. The mask assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the fluid connector further comprises a stop or abutment configured to limit the distance the fluid connector is inserted into the ball end. 
     
     
       17. The mask assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the outer spherical surface is truncated.